Firstly, let’s not forget that the fear of death is healthy and legitimate, but when it becomes pathological, it’s not the same story. It can take the form of anxiety or panic attacks, but also phobia or hypochondria. For some people, the fear of death can even prevent them from living. There are ways of putting this anxiety into perspective. We’ll tell you more.
📌 The fear of death is called “thanatophobia”, from the ancient Greek “thanos” meaning “death” and “phobia” meaning “fear”. This phobia can be a handicap for people in their daily lives, for example, they may refuse to drive or take public transport, they may not be able to go on a trip, or they may refuse to leave their children alone.
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Why am I scared of death?
Fear is a natural reaction to the unknown and death is one of the greatest unknowns we have. To fully understand fear and know how to manage it, it’s always interesting to go back to its origins.
1. Origins in childhood
Fear of death often goes back to childhood. It’s around the age of 7 that the idea of death becomes very active in children, that many questions can arise, and it’s with the arrival of this preoccupation that the fear of death can manifest itself.
2. Coping with the death of a loved one
The death of a loved one is also a trigger for realizing that you too can die at any time, just like the people you love. This sudden realization can even lead to depression. 👉 Read; What are the stages of grief?
3. Leaving your loved ones
Wanting to stay alive for those who need us is a very common concern, but you may have a feeling of incompleteness, or of betraying your loved ones by leaving them. For you, dying in peace is when everything has been said and reunited, and if that’s not the case... Your anxiety grows. You’ll therefore avoid any risky situations likely to cause your premature death, such as getting into a car, onto a plane or onto a boat.
4. Fear of suffering
You don’t want to experience that passage between life and death when you can say “I’m dying”. You’d rather die in your sleep without knowing anything, or have a brutal heart attack, than slow agony that leaves you time to think.
Thinking about death from time to time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it allows you to remember the importance of life, of this precious side of existence.
>>> Read; How to overcome the fear of loving
📍 Fear of death is more than understandable, and you’re not alone, just look at the number of books or songs on the subject! Death is a mystery that’s part of our human journey, and it’s normal to be afraid of the end. You could say that every end is a new beginning, in one form or another. Life and death are two sides of the same coin, and one can’t exist without the other. Know that the energy of life is eternal, if that can ease your fears... |
3 tips to ease your fear of death
1. Set yourself positive goals
On a day-to-day basis, set yourself goals that bring you fulfillment, such as success in your job, going on nice trips, or simply being happy in your relationship or as a family. Enjoy the satisfaction of making something of your life and avoid the feeling of leaving “empty-handed”. It’s important to focus on the present. We can’t control what will happen tomorrow, but we can decide how to live our lives today.
2. Become aware of your role
The aim here is to become aware of “what you’re useful for”, you’re part of a transmission, of what you’re creating with your loved ones and those around you. Be aware that death is part of life; it’s an infinite loop, and you need to accept that.
3. Face your fear
Coming to terms with your fears and anxieties is also a long-term process in stages. Don’t hesitate to read the obituary pages of a newspaper, then write the sentence “I’m going to die” in black and white. You’ll realize that you’re not dead once you’ve written it. Go to a cemetery and stop in front of the graves. This is also a great step towards taming the place and therefore your phobia.
>>> Discover why fear is just an unfulfilled need for security
Editor’s note: A legitimate fear as long as it doesn’t prevent you from livingThe fear of death is normal and legitimate. We’re all afraid of it, to different extents. If this anxiety is disabling, holding you back in your daily life, or preventing you from doing certain things, contact our qualified psychologists to help you overcome this fear.
🤗 Understanding yourself, accepting yourself, being happy... It’s here and now! #BornToBeMe
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